Semi Finals

[down_south]

Denver vs Gladbrook-Reinbeck
Akron-Westfield vs Mount Ayr

 

[farmernels]

How many people had AW making it to this point? What are their chances vs Mt Ayr?

 

[Cardinal2012]

A-W has a great chance and could even be the favorite. They're coming off wins against Lo-Ma and West Sioux who are two very solid teams.

 

[farmernels]

I doubt they're the favorite, but they probably like it that way. Sounds like West Sioux had their hotels booked and trophy case cleared out before Friday night. Coach still not giving AW any credit in papers or radio shows. Pretty standard.

I gather MtAyr pounds the rock, which would likely work against a soft/poor tackling defense like AW.

Who's the favorite in this highly anticipated rematch between Denver and GR?

 

[Cardinal2012]

In the box scores Denver has been playing their best ball of the season, hard to know exactly how those games played out without watching them though.

Mount Ayr will have to take care of the ball in that semifinal game. In the quarters they had about 5 turnovers on the wrong 25 yard line, and it sounded like A-W was able to capitalize on West Sioux turnovers.

Any insight on what was different between the first and second A-W vs WS games?

 

[farmernels]

AW has improved quite a bit since early in the season. They have a lot of juniors in key spots that have started to mature. They got pressure on Hummel and seemed he didn't like contact.
Wouldn't surprise me if WS overlooked them a touch. Coach told radio it wasn't a rivalry since they've won the last 3 contests.

 

[hawkeyetillidie]

With the win earlier in the year, I'd say Denver is the favorite. I will say that this isn't the same GR team that they first played. Also the elements won't be in Denvers favor like they were in the first meeting.

 

[farmernels]

The elements? I'm assuming that means Denver pounds the rock and GR spreads it around more?

 

[hawkeyetillidie]

No there were rainy, windy, wet playing conditions

 

[HappyJac]

Denver is beatable. A short passing game and a no huddle offense will help to neutralize their size and force their linebackers to back off the line. The problem will be stopping their offense and it can be done, but you must be aggressive on every play. Denver's offense is not the least bit fancy and their throwing game is suspect. That said, this is class A football and the best running game always seems to win, so Denver takes the title beating GR by 28 in the semis and Mt Ayr by 35 in the championship.

 

[farmernels]

Frankly I'm out of the loop up until the last couple weeks. My predictions for the semis should be taken with a grain of salt.

Denver beats GR 28-21 in a good physical battle. I think it's hard to beat a good team twice, but they impose their will in the second half to grind out a win.

Mt Ayr beats AW 41-36 in a shootout. AW coming off the emotional high of beating bitter rival West Sioux has a hard time tackling and stopping the run vs a more physical and hungry group. MtAyr scores on a play action pass late.

 

[neversurrender]

I doubt they're the favorite, but they probably like it that way. Sounds like West Sioux had their hotels booked and trophy case cleared out before Friday night. Coach still not giving AW any credit in papers or radio shows. Pretty standard.

I gather MtAyr pounds the rock, which would likely work against a soft/poor tackling defense like AW.

Who's the favorite in this highly anticipated rematch between Denver and GR?

What paper is the WS coach not giving credit to AW? The Sioux City Journal quotes the WS coach saying AW made more plays than us. What should he say Akron is the greatest team ever? Akron was way better than us? He said that they had too many turnovers and that was the difference, guess I would agree with him in saying 5 turnovers will cost you the game most times.

 

[farmernels]

I read somewhere- "obviously Akron had to play very well to beat us" - I took as implying West Sioux was the superior team. Maybe they were IDK??? obviously the first meeting went the other way.

 

[Knight Ace]

I believe the GR will beat Denver 21 - 14 this time around. I noticed that in their first meeting Denver scored all of there 21 points in the first quarter and GR was able to shut them out the next three quarters.
Also, GR's QB did not put up very good stats that game, I have no idea if it was because of the poor weather or if Denver secondary played well, but it looks like he is playing much better football as of late and will be able to find open WR's against Denver's secondary in the Dome.

 

[Iabeastmode]

Denver vs GR is the championship. Not sure Mount Ayr or AW are in the top 5 of their class. BGM & Algona wish they would have had the southern road to the playoffs for sure.

 

[neversurrender]

I read somewhere- "obviously Akron had to play very well to beat us" - I took as implying West Sioux was the superior team. Maybe they were IDK??? obviously the first meeting went the other way.

It was in the same Sioux city journal article as his comments saying Akron out played us, something tells me you already know that though. So what the coach should believe that his team was an inferior team to Akron? Should he say oh wow we are just happy it was close? I am sure the AW coach has never made any comments that could be viewed by someone as questionable right? I mean the article quotes the AW coach saying we wore them down a little bit, does that mean that the AW coach thinks his team is better and isn't giving credit to WS for having their guys in shape? The article says that AW obviously had to play good to beat us but also says AW made more plays than we did and that is them having rooms booked, the trophy case cleared out and WS not giving AW any credit for the win? Sounds like you might be trying to more out it than it is because of the rivalry.

 

[SayItWithYourChest]

I just can't see Akron-Westfield keeping this run going. I have to pick Mount Ayr to pull this game off although I believe it will be close. Although, I heard Akron can throw the ball well, which always helps in the dome. Mount Ayr 27 - Akron-Westfield 23

I love this Denver- GR matchup, which seems to have turned into a minor rivalry over the past couple years. With Denver's size and good backs they are going to piece a few drives together against GR. What is going to make or break the game for GR is their QBs ability to attack the Denver secondary, and their o-lines ability to protect him. G-R 28 - Denver 21

 

[privateer13]

GR Denver should be a close contested game
My guess is is come to which team is more consistent with extra points

 

[Neisen]

I believe the GR will beat Denver 21 - 14 this time around. I noticed that in their first meeting Denver scored all of there 21 points in the first quarter and GR was able to shut them out the next three quarters.
Also, GR's QB did not put up very good stats that game, I have no idea if it was because of the poor weather or if Denver secondary played well, but it looks like he is playing much better football as of late and will be able to find open WR's against Denver's secondary in the Dome.

You could be correct but also remember that Denver played without the starting QB and without the starting corner. Shedenhelm was only about 50% coming back from an injury and Denver's line was not used to playing together yet. BG tried to throw (because they could not run) and got picked off 3 times. Should be a great game!

 

[MARaiders]

Mt. Ayr beats Akron-Westfield by two touchdowns. The Raider defense wears down Akron in the second half and the offense keeps rolling. In watching the Quarterfinal game in Mt. Ayr, the Raiders overcame a few turnovers and when Lynnville-Sully was within striking distance, Mt. Ayr put them away. This game will be close in the first half but the Raider defense will take over in the second half and Mt. Ayr will win this semi-final game.

 

[lil-cush]

Denver dominated the first half against GR, the 2nd half was even maybe even giving the edge to GR in the first meeting. GR did drop 2 TD's in the first meeting which was probably due to the rainy, wet conditions. I see this being a one score game that could go either way.

 

[farmernels]

It was in the same Sioux city journal article as his comments saying Akron out played us, something tells me you already know that though. So what the coach should believe that his team was an inferior team to Akron? Should he say oh wow we are just happy it was close? I am sure the AW coach has never made any comments that could be viewed by someone as questionable right? I mean the article quotes the AW coach saying we wore them down a little bit, does that mean that the AW coach thinks his team is better and isn't giving credit to WS for having their guys in shape? The article says that AW obviously had to play good to beat us but also says AW made more plays than we did and that is them having rooms booked, the trophy case cleared out and WS not giving AW any credit for the win? Sounds like you might be trying to more out it than it is because of the rivalry.

Sorry I brought it up.
On another note you have any idea how that class A district will shape up next year. Is WS staying A? Friend of mine said their district is really growing. Also curious with the RU/MMC merger where they'll fall.

 

[souixland]

Mt. Ayr beats Akron-Westfield by two touchdowns. The Raider defense wears down Akron in the second half and the offense keeps rolling. In watching the Quarterfinal game in Mt. Ayr, the Raiders overcame a few turnovers and when Lynnville-Sully was within striking distance, Mt. Ayr put them away. This game will be close in the first half but the Raider defense will take over in the second half and Mt. Ayr will win this semi-final game.

AW passing attack wore down the big MA front. Askra just owned em with his arm and his feet. MA #23 was un-coverable!